What Makes The Pan America 1250 ST The Most Versatile Harley-Davidson

Harley-Davidson makes some incredible motorcycles, offering something for everyone. Whether it’s the sporty Sportster S, the stylish Breakout, or the couch-like comfortable Street Glide Ultra, everyone can find something they like in the Milwaukee stable. But what about versatility? Usually, that’s not something that comes to mind when we think about Harley’s beefy cruisers or hefty tourers, but the motor company has you covered here, too.

Enter the Pan America 1250 ST, a road-focused version of the Pan America. This hidden gem stands as the brand’s most versatile motorcycle today, thanks to its flexible engine character, high-end suspension setup, and comfortable ergonomics. And while it may not have the flair of some of its fancier siblings (read: CVO models), it still manages to pack enough style to turn heads on the road. Here’s what makes the Pan America 1250 ST the most versatile H-D in 2025.

The Pan America 1250 ST Is The Harley-Davidson That Can Do It All

Starting Price: $19,999

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The Pan America 1250 ST is the most versatile model in Harley-Davidson’s lineup. According to the motor company, the bike is designed for riders looking to replace their sports bikes and nakeds with something comfortable for the long haul without sacrificing agility. So, the 1250ST builds up on the proven Pan America platform but does away with all the off-road-oriented features of the 1250 Special. Instead, it now features a slimmer profile, 17-inch wheels, and a lowered suspension.

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It still retains the same power-packed, thoroughly modern Revolution Max engine, though, so you can be sure that it can keep up with the world’s fastest freeways. However, with its more street-friendly underpinnings, like the lowered suspension and a lower seat height, it becomes more approachable for the city, too. Add to that the Adaptive Ride Height, an array of electronics, and flexible character, and you’re looking at a Harley-Davidson tourer that can do it all, from commuting on weekdays to touring on weekends. And you’d be surprised, but it is also a certified canyon carver now!

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Pan America 1250 ST vs. Other Versatile Harley-Davidsons

What makes the Pan America 1250 ST stand out among other versatile Harley-Davidson motorcycles is that it can do it all without sacrificing anything. For instance, the Nightster and Sportster S sacrifice touring comfort for performance, whereas the Low Rider ST can be a handful for some and lacks tech features. Meanwhile, the Heritage Classic, often lauded for its practicality, is still heavy and old-school. No other Harley comes close to the balance of practicality, performance, comfort, and tech package of the Pan America 1250 ST.

Powerful Revolution Max V-Twin That’s Tuned For Flexibility And Endurance

Power Output: 150 HP @ 8,750 RPM

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The engine is one of the outstanding aspects of the Pan America 1250 ST. It’s a thoroughly modern, liquid-cooled powerplant that outperforms the more old-school Milwaukee-Eight found on Softail and Grand American Tourers. This engine is tuned to produce a broad powerband that is flexible, offering plenty of grunt in the low- to mid-range that builds to a high-RPM rush near the redline. And producing close to 150 horsepower and just over 90 pound-feet of torque, this is an engine that can stand toe-to-toe with its European and Japanese rivals, too.

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Compared to the 1250 Special, the suspension is lowered by 0.75 inches, and the wheels are now 17 inches. This brings down the bike’s center of gravity and reduces unsprung mass, which should make the bike more agile on the road. Plus, Showa’s electronic preload adjustment means the suspension adapts to your weight, along with your pillion and luggage, automatically. And since it’s fully adjustable, you can even fine-tune it to your preference: softer for the city and harder for carving corners.

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The suspension also features Adaptive Ride Height (ARH), which automatically drops the bike by an inch at a standstill. So, getting both feet on the ground becomes easier for most riders, and the bike becomes easier to manage at crawling speeds, which comes in handy when you consider the bike’s hefty weight. Finally, braking duties are taken care of by top-spec Brembo monobloc calipers at the front, promising strong stopping power and feedback.

Performance Specs

Put two-and-two together, and you’ll see why the 1250 ST stands out in the H-D lineup. Yes, some of its rivals offer some level of adjustability and even lower seat height, but they can’t match the 1250 ST’s performance and handling finesse. This is where the 1250 ST also leaves behind the 1250 Special when it comes to versatility. The latter is more suited for adventure riding and off-roading, which makes it somewhat intimidating to handle in the city.

Purpose-Built Design For Performance In The City And On The Highway

Seat Height: 31.7 in.

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A similar story follows for the 1250 ST’s design, compared to the 1250 Special. In its road-biased avatar, this Pan America features a more purposeful design that is cleaner, slimmer, and lightweight. It has a blacked-out design, a lightweight muffler, a tire-hugging front fender, and a sleeker stance that looks more understated yet aggressive. Compared to other tourers on the market, the 1250 ST also looks menacing and has a commanding road presence that’s hard to ignore.

The design prioritizes on-road comfort, though, giving the bike an equally commanding riding position that should keep your back straight and arms relaxed. According to H-D, the seat and ergonomics are designed to support aggressive cornering while ensuring comfort and control on the road. Plus, the lower seat height compared to its ADV sibling makes it easier for you to mount and get off the bike.

Dimensions And Weights Specs

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Long-distance comfort is taken care of by a low-profile, smoked windscreen that, while slimming up the bike’s profile, offers wind protection at highway speeds. According to the company, the bike returns 46 MPG in combined conditions, which is excellent economy considering the bike’s performance and size. And thanks to its 5.6-gallon fuel tank, it should cover over 250 miles between fuel stops. In short, the 1250 ST ticks the boxes of being comfortable in the city, on the corners, and on the long highways.

Advanced Tech That Makes It A Safe Tourer And An Easy-Going Commuter

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We finally come to the motorcycle’s tech package, which is where it leaves most Harley-Davidsons behind, except the decked-out tourers and its ADV sibling. Apart from the electronically adjustable suspension and ARH, the bike boasts numerous other features that make it a complete package on the road. For starters, it gets a massive 6.8-inch TFT display with Bluetooth support and navigation. It also features five riding modes, including Road, Sport, Rain, and two custom modes.

There’s the Screamin’ Eagle Quickshifter, enabling smooth and fast bidirectional shifts.

To help you keep the rubber side down, the Pan America 1250 ST also gets plenty of rider aids, including Vehicle Hill Hold and Wheel Lift Mitigation. Additionally, ABS, linked braking, traction control, and Drag Torque Slip Control (DTSC) are lean-sensitive, too. The result is a practical, dynamic motorcycle that can be what you want it to be, a city bike, a tourer, or a canyon carver, all while keeping you comfortable and safe.

Electronic Features And Rider Aids

• Adaptive Ride Height
• 6.8-inch TFT display with Bluetooth support and navigation
• Screamin’ Eagle Quickshifter
• Daymaker Adaptive Headlights
• Cornering ABS
• Cornering Electronic Linked Braking (C-ELB)
• Cornering Traction Control System (C-TCS)
• Cornering Drag-Torque Slip Control System (C-DTSC)
• Vehicle Hill Hold (VHC)
• TPMS
• Wheel Lift Mitigation with Enhanced Lift Mitigation